The Shape of the Soul is a very ambitious, massive project encouraging acceptance of a particular metaphysics and epistemology of the self, world, and God, based largely on mystical and paranormal experiences. Paul Marshall is listed as an independent scholar, and how thankful we should be for his liberated, independent thinking and daring[.]”

Journal of Religion

. . . a highly recommended and inspired, conscientious, scholarly, and bold tour de force.

Paradigm Explorer, Journal of the Scientific and Medical Network

Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Shape of the Soul" is enhanced for academia with the inclusion of fifty-two pages of Notes, a six page Selected Bibliography, and a twenty-four page Index.

Midwest Book Review

Marshall makes a strong case for taking mystical experiences seriously as a topic for the philosophy of religion . . . his book [is] of interest for scholars who accept that mysticism is a present, often ignored, and for some, a life-changing feature. Because a considerable amount of humans experience reality’s mystical dimension, constructive scholarship like Marshall’s should be welcomed.

Reading Religion

Four stars: The text is replete with detailed analysis of the rich tradition of non-dualistic thinking and idealism and supported with detailed notes, a comprehensive bibliography, and index. An important contribution to a neglected and unfashionable area of human experience.

Fortean Times

Paul marshalls an amazing range of evidence from across disciplines to defend the thesis that individuals have access to the ultimate nature of reality through mystical experience. . . . Marshall’s book is a tour de force on method, rooted in mystical revelation of reality and in methods that may occasion it.

Journal Of Parapsychology